Armia Ludowa

The Armia Ludowa was the armed wing of the communist Polish Workers' Party (PPR) from 1 January to 29 July 1944, succeeding the Gwardia Ludowa and preceding the Polish People's Army. The army refused to join forces with the Polish Underground State's larger Home Army, instead working with the Soviet Union to resist Nazi Germany's occupation of Poland during World War II. The army claimed to have undertaken 900 operations, killing 20,000 Germans, derailing 350 trains, and destroying 79 bridges. However, only 5-10% of recorded Armia Ludowa actions actually took place; the AL was known for its use of propaganda, especially when it depicted itself as larger and more powerful than the Home Army. On 29 July 1944, the Armia Ludowa merged into the new Polish People's Army.